Palestine: A Modern History (ص 57)

غرض

عنوان

Palestine: A Modern History (ص 57)

المحتوى

ERM A ETT tt cn) Fema 7
116 Deadlock: 1920-1923
fellahin who lived on these lands. Arab nationalists directed their
efforts towards reconciling partisan and family differences. More
important still, it was reported that
At a meeting of the Nadi al Arabi the possible advantages of an
insurrectionary movement at the present juncture were referred to;
Jemil el Shehabi considered that news from the Delegation should
be awaited 128
The Idea of a ‘Moderate Party’
At this stage Samuel adopted a new attitude toward the Palestinian
opposition, when he advocated encouraging the emergence of the
Moderate Party. In a comprehensive survey of the political and
economic conditions in Palestine, Samuel urged the Duke of Devon-
shire, the new Colonial Secretary, to maintain his predecessor’s
Palestine policy as a means of bringing about political stability, in
addition to strengthening the hands of the pro-Government elements
among Arab ranks.!?°
When Devonshire received the Palestinian Delegation in January
1923, he informed them that the new Conservative Government did not
propose to repudiate the Balfour Declaration or to change the policy
enunciated in Churchill’s White Paper.
Back in Palestine the Arab National Movement energetically
campaigned in favour of the boycott of the Legislative Council
elections. At the instigation of the preachers, Palestinians swore an
oath in their places of devotion to boycott the elections,'%° and
numerous meetings harped on the theme that accepting a Constitution
based on the Balfour Declaration was tantamount to national suicide.
Beside boycotting the Legislative Council the Palestinian national
movement was engaged in an effort for economic self-betterment and
for the protection of the Arab agriculturalists. On 1 February 1923, the
Arab Economic Agricultural Conference held its first meeting. An
Executive Committee was elected and attached to the Executive
Committee of the Arab Congress with which it was charged to cooper-
ate in economic and political matters. It was resolved to demand the
abolition of certain agricultural taxes and dues, to encourage the
plantation of tobacco and trees, and to request the Government to
institute an agricultural school. However, the most important
resolution was
Ee Lec cane
Deadlock: 1920-1923 117
To demand from the Government the enactment of a law forbidding
the Fallah to sell his land if it is less than 200 dunoms in order that
it provides means of livelihood on the lines of the Egyptian Law of
the 5 feddans.
As the boycott campaign gathered momentum both Samuel and the
pro-Government forces found themselves in a tight spot. The pro-
Government party sought to extract certain concessions as a means of
justifying its inclination to work with the Government. Samuel
favoured the granting of some concessions to the Moderates as a means
of strengthening their hand and mitigating public opinion in Palestine.
On 11 February, Samuel reported to Devonshire that he had received
an overture on behalf of important sections of Arabs who would be
prepared to abandon opposition to the Balfour Declaration and come
forward to cooperate with the Government at elections on certain
conditions:
(One) annual immigration to be limited numerically.
(Two) Election to Legislative Council of Arab members by High
Commissioner from lists submitted by local bodies in such number
as to constitute a majority with elected members.
(Three) British officials to retain the substance of executive
authority but number of Palestinians in important positions in the
Administration to be largely increased.
(Four) An Arab Emir to be appointed in Palestine the High
Commissioner remaining with present functions.!3!
While Samuel found that last condition objectionable and had other
reservations to make he proposed to carry on with the conversations
awaiting a positive decision by the Colonial Secretary.
Devonshire’s reply was discouraging and nothing could be done to
Save the patriotic pretences of the pro-Government Party. The boycott
of the elections by the overwhelming majority of the Palestinians
provided a clear victory for the Arab Executive Committee over the
Government’s policies and the pro-Government elements who dared
nominate themselves. It bolstered the Committee’s position in the
country. On 12 March 1923 it issued a proclamation advising stoppage
of work and closing of shops on 14 March in honour of the attitude
adopted by the ‘Arab Nation’ at the elections.'3? It was also decided to
extend a popular welcome for the retuming Arab Delegation. During

تاريخ

1978

المنشئ

Abdul-Wahhab Kayyali

مجموعات العناصر

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